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A simple (1 page) consulting agreement is a straightforward contract that outlines how a professional consultant and a client will work together. It establishes the amount the consultant will be paid, the services they’ll provide, the length of the agreement, and who will be responsible for expenses. A simple agreement contains the same requirements to make it legally binding as any other consultant contract; however, because it is less complicated and includes fewer provisions, it is better suited for clients with smaller projects or when the parties already have a trusting relationship.
Contents |
What’s Included
Term
The length of the arrangement between the parties must be defined in the agreement. There should be an official start date as well as an end date or a specific event that will terminate the arrangement (e.g., once all services have been performed).
Services
The parties will discuss what the client requires of the consultant, and then these services will be listed in the document. Including details of the tasks and duties of the consultant will help ensure clarity in the relationship.
Compensation
The consultant will describe how much they normally charge and what payment structures they are familiar with. The client can negotiate with them until they agree on an equitable exchange, and then enter the compensation details in the appropriate section of the contract.
Expenses
It’s important to clarify who will be responsible for any expenses incurred during the consultant’s performance of the services. For the sake of simplicity, the consultant is responsible for these expenses when a simple 1-page consulting agreement is executed.
Confidentiality
Consultants are often given access to their client’s business affairs during the undertaking of their tasks and they must agree to never divulge, misuse, or misappropriate the client’s trade secrets and other proprietary information at any point during or after the agreement.
Signatures
In order to be legally valid, the client and consultant must sign and print their names at the bottom of the form.
Sample
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CONSULTING AGREEMENT
This Consulting Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into between [CLIENT NAME], hereinafter referred to as the “Client,” and [CONSULTANT NAME], hereinafter referred to as the “Consultant,” on [AGREEMENT DATE].
1. SERVICES. The Consultant agrees to provide the following services (the “Services”) to the Client: [DESCRIBE SERVICES].
2. PAYMENT. The Client agrees to pay the Consultant $[AMOUNT] for the Services provided. Payment shall be due [PAYMENT TERMS].
3. TERM OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall commence on [START DATE] and remain in effect until [END DATE] or until the completion of the Services, whichever comes first.
4. CONFIDENTIALITY. The Consultant agrees to maintain the confidentiality of all information related to the Client and the Services provided.
5. WARRANTIES. The Consultant warrants that the Services provided shall be performed in a professional and workmanlike manner.
6. TERMINATION. Either party may terminate this Agreement at any time, for any reason, with written notice to the other.
7. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of [STATE].
8. GENERAL PROVISIONS. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the date specified above.
Client Signature: _______________________
[CLIENT NAME]
Consultant Signature: _______________________
[CONSULTANT NAME]
What Consultants Do
Consultants are well-versed in the operation and structure of a particular industry or section of an industry that are hired to provide expertise to clients (mainly business entities). There are many types of consultants working in a number of sectors, but overall, a consultant’s job is to evaluate the situation, investigate the problematic areas, and help implement changes that will make the company more efficient and profitable.
A consultant may be needed to provide insight on a specific project and help the team overcome any obstacles. Other times, consultants are hired to review the general functionality of a department or group of staff in order to increase their overall efficiency, either through workflow improvements or organizational changes.